A new Methimazole sensor based on nanocomposite of CdS NPs-RGO/IL-carbon paste electrode using differential FFT continuous linear sweep voltammetry

A Methimazole sensor was designed and constructed based on nanocomposite of carbon, ionic liquid, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and CdS nanoparticles. The sensor signal was obtained by Differential FFT continuous linear sweep voltammetry (DFFTCLSV) technique. The potential waveform contains two sections, preconcentration potential and potential ramp. In this detection technique, after subtracting the background current from noise, the electrode response was calculated, based on partial and total charge exchanges at the electrode surface. The combination of RGO and CdS nanoparticles can catalyze the electron transfer, which outcomes of the amplification of the sensor signal. The result showed that the sensor response was proportional to the concentrations of Methimazole in the range of 2.0 to 300 nM, with a detection limit of 5.5 x 10(-10) M. The sensor showed good reproducibility, long-term of usage stability and accuracy. The characterization of the sensor surface was studied by atomic force Microscopy and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy. Moreover, the proposed sensor exhibited good accuracy, and R.S.D value of 2.82%, and the response time of less than 7 s. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.